Ratchet crank



Gf. E. SPRAGUE.

RATCHET CRANK. n

APPLICATION FILED SEPI. I2, 1921.

19424045 f Patented July 25, 1922.

28 6. 30P/Q @a5 risica.

GEORGE EDWIN srnneun, or cAMBnrA,-rLLrNors.

RarcHE'r GRANK.

Application-filed September 12, 1921.` Serial No. 499,888.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Groen E. SPRAGUE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambria, in the county of Villiamson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet Cranks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to ratchet cranks and while having special reference to cranks for use in actuating drills in coal mines, is obviously not limited in its use and utility to such relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crank having improved features of convenience in adjustment and in its ratcheting effect.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel parts, units, elements, combinations, mechanical movements and functions, as disclosed in the drawing, together with mechanical equivalents thereof, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the improved ratchet crank;

Figure 2 is a view of the ratchet crank with one of the platesremoved showing the operating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the crank taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of `one of the ratchet detents.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The improved ratchet crank which forms the subject matter of this application comprises a pair of spaced plates 10 and 11 between which an extension arm 12 is mounted to slide longitudinally by providing said arm with slots 13 and 14 engaged upon a rivet 15 and a tension bolt 16, the latter being provided with a nut 17 by which the adjusted position of the arm 12 is maintained by clamping the said arm between the plates 10 and 11. The arm 12 is provided with a crank handle 18 of any usual and ordinary construction. The rivet 15, a rivet 19 and a rivet 20 serve to maintain the plates 10 and 11 in proper spaced adjustment to accommodate the ratchet member 21 therebetween. The ratchet member 21 is provided with hubs 22 inserted through perforations in the plates 10 and 11 and is squared as indicated at 23 to engage upon a tang or shank of the implementbeing operated upon.

The rivet 19 also serves to properly position a spring 24 which at its opposite ends bears against the ratchet detents 25 and 26 pivoted respectively at 27 and 28. The length, position and relation of the ratchet detents 25 and 26 is such that when acting under the tension of the spring 24 the ends opposite the engagement with the spring tend to engage against teeth 29 about the perimeter of the ratchet.

Mounted between the ratchet detents 25 and 26 is a cam 80 preferably, though not necessarily, an eccentric mounted upon a pin 31 extending through the plates 10 and 11 and upon one side provided with a wing 32 by which the said pin 31 and eccentric 30 may be rotated to throw either of the ratchet detents 25 or 26 out of engagement with the teeth 29, or when in intermediate position to permit both of said detents to engage the ratchet teeth to form a rigid crank.

In operation it is believed it will be obvious the arm 12 will be adjusted longitudinally to provide a crank of greater or less leverage as the eXigencies of operation may make desirable. The leverage thus obtained the implement is placed upon the tool to be rotated by inserting the Squared or multi angular shank or tang of the implement through the opening 23. In positions where the crank may be used as a plain crank, the

eccentric 31 will be rotated so that both of the detents 25 and 26 engage the teeth 29 and the crank will, therefore, be actuated as an ordinary crank. lVhen, by reason of limitation of space it is desirable to provide ratchet action, the eccentric 30 will be rotated to throw either the detent 25 or 26 out of action, leaving the other in engagement, whereby the ratchet 22 may be rotated with a step-by-step motion in either direction according to which ever detent is in operative position.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is: y

A ratchet crank comprising plates spaced apart by members holding such plates rigidly in spaced position, a ratchet rotatable between the plates and having hubs extending outwardly through the plates perforated by a multi-angular opening, ratchet detents pivoted between the plates, a spring tending to hold the ratchet detents in engagement with the perimeter of the ratchet, a cam operable from the exterior of the plates capable of throwing either of the ratchets out of operating relation, an arm sldable longitudinally between the plates, means to secure the arm at an adjusted position, and a l5 handle adj aeent the end of the arm.

In testimony whereof hereunto affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE EDVIN SPRAGUE. Vitnesses:

BEN Lovin., Trios. WALDRON. 

